Each entry is accompanied by its share of smiles and hugs. “Hi Mickaël!” “Are you okay Pierrette?” It must be said that the inaugurated art gallery is a family business. Christophe Ausello, 57 years old, in the role of the designer, and his son Valentin, 29 years old, in that of the agent and manager of the company.
Located at 40 rue Partouneaux, the gallery sees relatives of the family parade, from the octogenarian great-aunt to the thirty-year-old cousin, including childhood friends of the artist.
The interior couldn't be more polished, from the snow-white walls to the careful arrangement of related products: mouse pads, cushions, mugs, postcards, beach towels…
“The richness of his creativity captivates us”
The smell of paint reminds us of the very recent move. In all, 46 works are exhibited, for prices ranging from €350 for paintings measuring 18 by 14 centimeters, to €29,000 for the largest canvases. The intermediate-sized works all cost several thousand euros.
“Ah, it’s Nice-Matin! So, do you have any scoops, news, information?”laughs Christophe Ausello. He may have opened his own art gallery, but he remains faithful to his personality as colorful as his works. The latter compete in flashy colors which vary according to the artist's periods.
Drawn with one-millimeter Molotow markers, these paintings are totally abstract, although we can perceive familiar shapes in places, here an eye, there what looks like a hand.
“In the galleries, people think they are living gods”
“There is a profusion of miniature images, like a sort of pixelation of characters of a very impressive richness and variety”analyzes Alain, first cousin of Christophe Ausello.
“His works arouse the gaze and raise questions. The richness of his imagination and creativity captivates those who observe the paintings.” This is the case of Mickaël, a friend of the artist. “When I observe a painting by Christophe, I discover fields of inspiration that take us elsewhere. It can take us to different energies and places, as if we could enter the universe of the work. Don't explain, you can feel it.”
The artist himself can attest to this: “A few days ago, a class of schoolchildren passed in front of the gallery. The teacher had to yell at the kids to make them move forward, because they were all stunned by the painting displayed in the window.”
The fifty-year-old never stops punctuating his anecdotes by insisting: “It’s true what I’m telling you! It’s all true!” As if he feared that no one would believe him.
It must be said that there is something disconcerting about the recent success of Christophe Ausello. He who was until recently a simple plumber from the Riviera, who had been drawing in his free time since he was 7 years old, is now offered the opportunity to exhibit his paintings in New York, Tokyo and even Abu Dhabi.
Everything changed when in 2018, Valentin entered one of his father's works at the Monaco Artists' Open, without warning him in advance. When Christophe Ausello won first prize, right under the noses of the 86 other participants, it was a real click. “I became aware of my father’s phenomenal talent.”
Little by little, the idea of developing the artist's activity germinated in the son's mind, until the opening of this gallery. In the meantime, Christophe Ausello exhibited some of his paintings in Paris at the end of last August. “The feedback was phenomenal. People were crowding around the paintings and asking if they could buy them. He realized that he had to take himself more seriously”recalls Valentin, dressed in costume for the occasion.
“I have always been discreet about my paintings. I never imagined that it could touch people”declares Christophe Ausello, a glass of bench wine in hand. But the presence of a plumbing box, proudly placed at the entrance to the gallery, reminds us that the man has not abandoned his profession. “I love my job and the relationship with customers that it involves. It’s important for my balance. I will never stop.”
Charitable projects
This shows how big the gap is when he goes to posh artistic exhibitions in Monaco or Paris. “Once, I was told not to talk about my job as a plumber. That doesn't sit well with me. In art galleries, people think they're living gods!” And the fifty-year-old recounts that once, an admirer wanted a dedication.
“I asked him if he minded if I drew a middle finger. He was amazed, so I did.”he says, laughing. When he tells one of his anecdotes, Christophe Ausello cannot help but get up and use big gestures with his hands, excited like an eternal child.
Does he have dreams of grandeur? The question makes him burst out laughing. He clearly prefers simplicity to fame and money. On the other hand, helping others is particularly close to his heart.
The designer has already participated in several charitable projects. Currently, he hopes to sell a work for the benefit of Les Protégés de Nathalie, a Menton sanctuary for disabled animals. “And we just sold one for 1,900 e for the Sea Rescuers, underlines Valentin. Next time, if the price goes up to €20,000, even better!”
